Troubleshooting

What if something breaks or I need a replacement part?

Please refer to the Limited 3 Year Warranty and contact customer service at 1.866.348.5661 or email us at
rainwater@fiskars.com. You may also write to Fiskars at 2537 Daniels Street, Madison, WI 53718, USA.

What is the best way to attach the diverter to my downspout?

Be patient during installation. Gutter downspouts vary in size slightly and it will take some adjusting to insert the downspout section into the diverter. It will be a tight fit, but this is necessary for proper function.

How much area will the water from a full rain barrel cover?

The pressure depends on the water level in the barrel and will decrease as the water level drops (as the water is used). Most if not all sprinkler systems require fairly high pressure to operate and will not work with a rain barrel unless a separate pump is used, and using a pump will empty a rain barrel fairly quickly. Rain barrels work great with soaker hoses. The capacities of Fiskars barrels vary between models, but 50 gallons of water will cover a little over 80 square feet to a depth of one inch.

Will the diverter clog?

If your gutters frequently clog with leaves and or other debris, we suggest putting a piece of screen over the top of your downspout. Fiskars DiverterPro™, available January 2010, includes an easily removable filter to capture debris and a transparent “door” to see if cleaning is needed.

What if the hose becomes clogged with leaves?

Detach the hose from the diverter and barrel. Flush the hose out with water or compressed air, if available. If you insert something into the hose to push through, you may damage the hose.

Why has the connector hose stretched?

Due to the design of the hose, it may stretch or become elongated over time. Simply trim the hose until it is once again level and reattach it.

Why is the cover difficult to remove?

Fiskars designed a tight-fitting cover for safety reasons. If you are having difficulty removing the rain barrel cover with your hands, try using a flat head screwdriver to pop it off.

Do I need to put my rain barrel on a paver?

It is important to place your barrel on firm and level ground so the barrel will not sink into the ground when it is full or when the ground is wet. Cement pavers or other platforms can be used, but may not be necessary if the area under your barrel is firm and level.

My rain barrel is overflowing. Why is this happening, and what do I do?

If water is overflowing out of the top of the barrel, the barrel is too low relative to the diverter. This may be due to an error in the diverter installation, or to the barrel sinking into the ground. The solution is to raise the barrel by building a base underneath it, preferably with large concrete pavers until the rim of the barrel about ½” above the line on the sides of the diverter. The bottom of the connecting hole in the side of the barrel should not be raised above the line on the diverter.

Why is water shooting out of the diverter?

Fiskars’ original diverter slightly restricts flow through the downspout. However, if the downspout was correctly sized, this may only happen during extremely heavy rains, if at all. If this concerns you, the barrel can be moved to another downspout or you can install a larger downspout. Fiskars’ new rainwater diverter, DiverterPro™, has a 3”x4” opening throughout and has an improved capture rate during heavier rains. Learn more about DiverterPro™ on the “How it Works” page.

My rain barrel bulges a little. Should I be concerned?

No. When the barrel is full, minimal bulging will occur, but is no cause for concern.

Is there BPA in the plastic out of which rain barrels are made?

BPA (bisphenol A) can be found in polycarbonate plastics, while all of Fiskars rain barrels are made out of polyethylene. Both LDPE and HDPE are made without the use of BPA, so BPA is not a concern for our rain barrels.